Matthew Durey

Resonant free-surface water waves in closed basins

Nonlinear resonance is a ubiquitous mechanism for triggering sustained energy exchange in dispersive fluid systems, exciting free-surface waves of relatively large amplitude. Confining a liquid to a closed basin magnifies significantly resonant free-surface waves arising over long length scales, resulting in pronounced sloshing across the basin. This sloshing has industrial applications to wave energy harvesting and the safe transport of liquefied natural gas, and geophysical connections to wind-driven seiches in lakes and beach cusps in partially enclosed bays.

In this talk, I will present the results of a combined theoretical and computational investigation into nonlinear resonance of water waves in closed basins. Confinement excites the collective resonance of three linear wave modes, known as a resonant triad, between which energy is periodically exchanged. Particular attention will be paid to elucidating the subtle role of the confining geometry on the formation, evolution and energy exchange of resonant triads. Finally, I will discuss the influence of fluid stratification and variable bathymetry on resonant sloshing in geophysical settings.